HVAC Industry News

Hydrogen has long been regarded as a key element in the success of the energy transition because it links the energy, transportation, buildings and industry sectors, and can be used as a CO2-neutral energy source, storage and supply medium. For example, ‘green’ hydrogen generated through electrolysis from renewable electricity and water can be transported via the existing gas infrastructure, temporarily stored and then used in buildings as an energy supplier for CO2-free heating. As...

Pure Air Control Services headed into the summer months this year, the Delta variant of the coronavirus became dominant. Before this, businesses started reopening with many workers returning to buildings. However, many also decided that working from home was a safer option. Not everyone had a choice and a surprising number of workers stated they would prefer to leave their jobs entirely if working from home was not an option for them. In fact, in a post published in July, Pure Air Control Ser...

The beauty of an Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) – and the energy recovery wheel inside of it – is its ability to allow to create an HVAC system that’s 20 to 40% more efficient than one without an ERV. But, what if a specific type of wheel could save even more money over the course of its life, due to how it’s made? While often not examined out of the gate, considering which type of wheel to use in the system can have a significant, tangible impact on cost and perform...

Like never before, facility operators are working to improve the quality of the air in their buildings. While ventilation – or air changes per hour inside a building – plays a critical role in this effort, it’s often thought that increased ventilation is too costly. Luckily, that’s not true. In fact, one can simultaneously ventilate the building, reduce the energy costs, and future-proof the building for unforeseen pandemics. How? By incorporating energy recovery venti...

The pandemic and shift to home dining and takeout changed the recipe for the food supply chain. Here’s how food companies are devouring new challenges. As more food travels directly to consumers rather than moving on pallets from distribution centers to stores, maintaining the cold chain becomes more complicated and challenging. Restrictions "One reason is a shortage of technicians who have earned the necessary certifications in these systems," says Dana Krug, Vice President and Gen...

In early 2021 schools and businesses across the country continued to reopen even as the Delta variant of COVID-19 emerged in the U.S. This created school and workplace safety concerns. We covered topics that stressed the importance of air purification to restore worker confidence. We also discussed how schools used funds from the American Rescue Plan to address aging mechanical systems, and we ended with a call to businesses to raise their IAQ standards to keep occupants safe. Let’s take a...

Commercial air conditioning is an essential part of comfortable space. If the business is at a crossroads with upgrading or installing new units, then it’s time to consider the argument of financing vs. paying cash. Let’s look closely at the pros and cons of financing and cash.  Financing Pros and Cons When you finance the air conditioning system, you are spreading the cost over a period of time in which you’ll be using it. It also allows you to pay what you are able...

With lockdown measures further easing across England – including allowing people back inside restaurants and pubs – the British Medical Association (BMA) has raised concerns that many premises may not be sufficiently ventilated to prevent airborne transmission of Covid-19. Calling for the Government to issue ‘explicit specifications’ on ventilation requirements for pubs, bars and restaurants, workplaces, and other public settings as they welcome the public back in...

According to the Carbon Trust, around 40% of commercial floor space is expected to be air-conditioned by 2020, compared with only 10% at the end of 1994. Demand is therefore increasing rapidly and due to this, building owners and operators are encouraged to look carefully at energy consumption, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, in particular, to see where savings can be made. The Carbon Trust also suggests that specifying a new air conditioning system should consider both user and...

The pandemic not only raised concerns about public health but also increased public awareness of the impacts our buildings have on the planet. A healthcare facility’s purpose is to serve the health of the community and promote public wellness. Hospitals account for 4.4% of global emissions, so to truly protect the health of the community, healthcare leaders need to make sure they are also protecting the planet. Public Health Issue The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)...

Aircuity, the front-runner in creating healthy and sustainable buildings, released new data showing that its clients in the life sciences industry are achieving record-setting levels of energy savings and environmental quality in their critical laboratory spaces and across their portfolios. According to the analysis, more than 50 life sciences organizations are using Aircuity’s platform to save 158,353,872 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) annually, while simultaneously saving more than one...

World Quality Day on the 11th of November is an annual event to raise the awareness of quality levels in companies and to recognize the efforts and contributions of quality professionals. The Elta Fans quality team shares how they’ve been ensuring quality management is consistently implemented throughout the business. Setting the scene At Elta Fans, quality is not only integral to the running of the business, but it’s the ethos: “We manufacture the highest quality of air mov...

Panasonic Heating & Cooling Solutions has reported that its IFS Remote Assistance solution has had a positive impact on improving customer service efficiency across Europe. The company reports that the initial response times have been improved, the remote diagnostic and fault resolution has been increased, and a higher customer satisfaction level was achieved. As the HVAC+R support teams throughout Europe have taken up the use of this tool, the appreciation for the benefits this technolog...

The Government’s Heat and Buildings Strategy is a welcome development in decarbonizing the UK heating sector but must be supported by the further policy if net-zero is to be achieved, according to polymer pipework specialist, REHAU. UK’s Heat and Buildings Strategy The long-awaited strategy was launched in October 2021, by the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), with the £450 million Boiler Upgrade Scheme being the centerpiece of the development. Fr...

Trane Technologies, a global climate innovator – is making it easier to understand and optimize home comfort, including the quality of air in your home. “The COVID-19 pandemic has made many of us rethink the air we breathe indoors,” said Jason Bingham, President of Trane Technologies’ Residential HVAC business. “An important aspect of helping people feel safe indoors is alleviating airborne health risks, especially those related to viruses, bacteria, pet dander,...

The Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC) was set up as a voluntary partnership in 2015 during the 21st Conference of Parties (COP21). It involves 30+ countries and 100+ members with different backgrounds and fits within the United Nations Environment Programme. The aim is to work towards a zero-emission, efficient, and resilient buildings and construction sector. Background The main concern is that the buildings standing in 2050 have not yet been built and that the numb...

In 1991 Eurovent, together with the American, Canadian and Japanese associations founded ICARHMA, the International Council of Air-Conditioning, Refrigeration, and Heating Manufacturers Associations. Meanwhile, the membership has increased to eleven members covering many parts of the world. ICARHMA allows the association to discuss global issues related to energy and environmental related issues. Global Perspective ICARHMA members meet in general twice per year, once at the time of the AHR Ex...

When it comes to smoke ventilation it requires a thorough approach to servicing in order to ensure optimum operational effectiveness. Elta Fans Applied Technology to discuss the five common traps one often fall into with smoke ventilation maintenance: Fitting and forgetting The smoke ventilation systems are the most important component in providing a level of reassurance across all applications and are an integral part of building safety. However, as a result of only being required in worst-...

New research reveals that 22nd October, 2021, over a week before the clocks go back, will be the day when the majority of the United Kingdom turns on their central heating, for the autumn and winter seasons.  The research, commissioned by Toolstation, one of Britain’s fastest growing suppliers of tools, accessories and building supplies, found that 60% of households were worried about being able to afford to keep their home warm, during the harsh winter months. Toolstation research...

As summers get hotter and extreme heat events to become more common, it is increasingly uncomfortable to live without air conditioning. According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the vast majority of American households do have air conditioning, but about 9% do not have any air conditioning unit. Many of these households are located in cities with historically temperate climates, but climate change is expected to make extreme heat events not only more frequent but also more severe. Even are...

Though the end result may be the glow of a light bulb or the click of the kettle, the journey energy takes to reach homes is a long one that involves many people in a myriad of roles around the world. This means that the price of wholesale energy - the energy that people buy to supply their homes - is prone to fluctuation. While SO Energy and most energy suppliers will pass any savings on to the customers, and absorb rises in wholesale costs, in order to keep things affordable for them, there a...

The latest round of financing from the UK Government’s Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF) will be key to ensuring that low-carbon district heating schemes are delivered from 2022, according to polymer pipework specialist, REHAU. Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF) The Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF) is the latest funding scheme, launched by the government’s Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, building upon 2018’s Heat Networks Investment Project (HNIP). As part o...

The Phasedown of Hydrofluorocarbons - HFCs is upon us, and it will change how refrigerants are handled, transported, and stored. While a great deal of information has been shared concerning the safe use and transport of flammable refrigerants, little attention has been given to the new storage requirements. Standards and codes for the safe storage of flammable refrigerants will require more space, more sensors, and more safety protocols. Transitioning to Refrigerant technologies When the US P...

The long-awaited Eurovent Recommendation 6/16 has been published. Developed by the Eurovent Product Group ‘Air Handling Units’ (PG-AHU), this Code of Good Practice focuses on the corrosion protection of Air Handling Units. The document is freely available to the public. The document discusses the fundamentals of corrosion protection, explains the corrosivity categories of the environment, and provides practical guidance on recommended properties of materials and corrosion protecti...

  Pandemic recovery is top-of-mind for so many cities, but a return to the normalcy which in 2019 might not be enough to maintain secure, connected, and resilient communities in this new world. As shared during the presentation at the IoT Global Innovation Forum, cities must reimagine their current infrastructure models and envision a connected, holistic future for the community. By integrating IoT technologies and connected building solutions, cities can build environments that are...

The COVID-19 pandemic closed K-12 schools across the United States of America (USA). Students and teachers, as well as parents, had to adapt to remote learning. Educators did the best they could with the resources available, but there is no substitute for in-person learning. The COVID-19 pandemic is not over, however, schools have reopened. Some schools enforce social distancing and mask-wearing mandates. They have also increased cleaning and disinfecting efforts, and are making improvements to...

In an ever-changing environment like the data center, it’s most beneficial to have as many intelligent systems working together as possible. It’s amazing to think of how far technology has come from the old supercomputers the size of four filing cabinets to the present data centers that are pushing 1,000,000 Sq. Ft. Managing a Data Center’s Needs Historically, managing a data center was fairly straightforward. In all the growth, one finds digging into the nuisances of every l...

As the hotel sector thrives amid the UK’s staycation boom, a report has revealed opportunities for hotel design to include further well-being and comfort measures, so as to meet changing expectations from prospective guests. This comes as research from a survey of 130 M&E contractors and architects, working in hotel construction, revealed that over half (52%) of respondents believe well-being is value engineered, out of projects later on in the build. REHAU’s report, ‘Des...

The energy price cap will increase from October 1, 2021 for the 15 million customers Ofgem protects. Those on default tariffs paying by direct debit will see an increase of £139 from £1,138 to £1277. Prepayment customers will see an increase of £153 from £1,156 to £1309. This increase is driven by a rise of over 50% in energy costs over the last six months with gas prices hitting a record high, as the world emerges from the COVID-19 induced lockdown. Surging...

HMS Networks launches a new IR-based Intesis® AC interface that enables integration of any Air Conditioning unit, regardless of brand, into Modbus or BACnet Building Automation Systems. controlling Air Conditioning systems HVAC systems are usually the largest energy consumers in a building. Therefore, building owners must monitor and control these systems to save costs and energy. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has made it increasingly important to find new ways of installing and usin...